Published: Wednesday, 30th April, 2008 12:00
No goals, but plenty action
By Frank Cassidy
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Glenafton 0 Neilston 0
NEILSTON attacked their hosts from the kick-off and forced a goalmouth scramble.
In a sign of things to come, the initiative swung in Glens’ favour and they mounted two or three attacks of their own, which were dealt with.
Paul McDougall then had a great chance to give the Farmers’ Boys the lead in 13 minutes, but his shot was too direct and was easily saved by keeper Gary Matthews.
Matthews was called into action 10 minutes later when he pushed a Paul McMenamin (pictured right) shot round the post, but incredibly the referee gave a bye-kick, which even surprised the home players.
Despite having most of the possession, Neilston could not get the vital opener and Matthews saved a Stephen McGowan shot that almost went over his head, before stopping a Chris Cameron effort.
Against the run of play, Glens were almost gifted a goal when Neil Farqharson lost possession, but keeper Brian Hewitt made a superb save from a one-on-one situation with striker Craig Feroz.
But Neilston started the second period on the attack and McDougall shot over after a corner followed by an incredible miss in front of an open goal.
Then, in the 71st minute, McMenamin shot over before Paul Harkins brought out a great save when he fired in a 30-yard shot that looked goal-bound.
Another spell of constant pressure found Matthews in unstoppable form, catching a Chris Cameron header from a Stephen McGowan cross then a tremendous diving save from a low Cameron shot.
Finally Glenafton began to come into the game, only to find Brian Hewitt in a similar mood to his counterpart at the other end.
He made a amazing angular save in the 82nd minute before an amazing double-save when he parried a powerful shot, only to save the equally difficult rebound from the same player.
Harkins (pictured above) could have stolen the points at the end of the match, but his shot was straight at Matthews and an entertaining match ended scoreless.
A friendly match has been arranged for Friday night at Brig O, Lea against Beith, kicking off at 7.15pm — there will be reduced admission charges for this match.
Sammy Johnston has organised the game to keep the players sharp in preparation for the final league match at home to Pollok, on a date to be arranged.
Although safety is not mathematically guaranteed, only a series of unlikely scores in other matches will leave Neilston in the play-off place.
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